High heel hydrogel grip pads

ABSTRACT

A thin, flexible grip pad for placement on a person&#39;s foot and prevent movement of the foot within a shoe, particularly a high heel shoe. The grip pad is made up of a hydrogel adhesive layer securing the pad to the foot on one surface and a frictional layer on the other. On attachment of the pad to the foot, the frictional layer comes into contact with the surface of the shoe.

SPECIFICATION

1. Field of Invention The present invention relates generally to flexible grip pads for decreasing the movement of a person's foot in a shoe, particularly a high heel shoe.

2. Background of Invention

Repetitive movement of the foot in a shoe can cause pain, discomfort and injury to the wearer. The forward sliding motion of the foot in a shoe, or slipping, may occur for a variety of reasons, such as: the material of the insole, the angle of the shoe, the forward walking motion of the wearer and or the general ill-fit of the shoe. On walking, the heel of the foot may also slip into and out of the shoe. Toes cramming in the front of the shoe, chafing or abrasions can result from the repetitive movement of the foot as it comes into contact with the shoe material within the confines of the shoe. This is particularly the case with high heel shoes, where extensive pressure on areas of the foot from the angle of the shoe further contributes to discomfort or injury.

Friction between the interior surfaces of a shoe and a person's foot help prevent movement of a foot within a shoe. Some of the current pads for decreasing movement of the foot in a shoe require thick padding that can take up significant room within a shoe. Thick padding can decrease the interior space of the shoe, leading to foot chafing and abrasions in other areas of the foot. Other pads are multi-layered and hard, further contributing to pain and discomfort on walking.

Some of the current pads also require attachment of a frictional material to the shoe. In these cases, the frictional material comes into contact with the wearer's skin. Often times, the contact of the frictional material with the wearer's skin leads to the same injuries that the pads try to prevent. Sweat from the foot may also decrease the function of the frictional materials.

Another disadvantage of pads that attach to the shoe is microbe growth on the material in contact with the wearer's skin with repeated use. The adhesive used in these cases make it hard to remove the pad after attachment, leading to damage to the shoe on removal.

Yet another disadvantage is aesthetic. Often, particularly for wearers of high heel shoes, appearance may be just as important function. Attachment of a pad to the shoe is unattractively apparent and ruins the design aesthetic of the high heel shoe.

For pads that attach to a person's foot, the shape or the adhesive used often leads to the pad rubbing off or rolling off with movement of the foot in the shoe. This often occurs, particularly, over time with sweating of the foot. These pads also often snag on a part of the shoe as the foot slides into the shoe, particularly in the area of the heel of the foot.

Thus, for all the reasons above, there remains a need for a pad that overcomes the above disadvantages.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the above disadvantages with a pad comprising a hydrogel adhesive layer securing the pad to the foot and a frictional layer in contact with the surface of a shoe.

In certain embodiments, the present invention is a flexible pad for attachment to the foot of a person to decrease the movement of the foot in a shoe comprising: (a) a frictional layer with an interior and exterior surface and (b) a hydrogel adhesive layer on the interior surface of the frictional layer, wherein the hydrogel adhesive layer secures the pad to the foot and the exterior surface of the frictional layer engages a surface of the shoe.

In certain embodiments, the present invention further comprises a release backing material on the side of the hydrogel adhesive layer opposite from the interior surface of the frictional layer.

In certain embodiments, the frictional layer of the present invention comprises a stretchable fabric comprising a film coating on the exterior surface of the fabric. In certain embodiments, the film of the present invention comprises silicone. In certain embodiments, the silicone of the present invention comprises 75% dimethylpolysiloxane and 25% silicone dioxide. In certain embodiments, the stretchable fabric of the present invention comprises a woven fabric. In certain embodiments, the stretchable fabric of the present invention comprises a nonwoven fabric. In certain embodiments, the woven fabric of the present invention comprises polyester.

In certain embodiments, the frictional layer of the present invention comprises a stretchable fabric comprising patterned protrusions on the exterior surface of the fabric. In certain embodiments, the protrusions of the present invention form a dot pattern. In certain embodiments, the protrusions of the present invention comprise silicone. In certain embodiments, the silicone of the present invention comprises 75% dimethylpolysiloxane and 25% silicone dioxide.

In certain embodiments, a portion of the perimeter of the interior surface of the frictional layer of the present invention is free of the hydrogel adhesive layer. In certain embodiments, the hydrogel adhesive of the present invention covers the entire region of the interior surface of the frictional layer.

In certain embodiments, the present invention is oval in shape. In certain embodiments, the present invention is hourglass in shape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A depicts a preferred embodiment of the present invention with dot pattern protrusions on the exterior surface of the frictional layer of an oval shape pad.

FIG. 1B depicts a preferred embodiment of the present invention with a hydrogel adhesive free boarder and a hydrogel adhesive in the diagonally shaded region of the interior surface of an oval shape pad.

FIG. 2A depicts a preferred embodiment of the present invention with a smooth coated exterior surface of the frictional layer of an hourglass shape pad.

FIG. 2B depicts a preferred embodiment of the present invention with a hydrogel adhesive in the diagonally shaded region of the interior surface of an hourglass shape pad.

FIG. 3 depicts the preferred placement on a person's foot for different embodiments of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B and in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a pad for attachment to a person's foot that is thin, flexible and conforms to the shape of the foot providing for: cushioning to relieve pressure on the foot, strong adhesion to secure the pad in place and friction to decrease movement of the foot in a shoe. The pad of the present invention comprises a hydrogel adhesive layer on one surface and a frictional layer on the other.

The hydrogel adhesive layer of the present invention comprises a hydrogel adhesive. The hydrogel adhesive provides for adhesion securing the pad to the skin of a person's foot, sock or stockings. The hydrogel adhesive provides strong pressure sensitive adhesion without the risk of skin injury of traditional adhesive tapes and leaves little or no residue on removal. The hydrogel adhesive advantageously allows for the pad of the present invention to stay in place so that it does not, particularly, for example, over time with walking or sweating. After removal, the hydrogel adhesive may also be rewetted to reapply the pad for repeated use. The hydrogel adhesive is further preferably non-irritating, non-sensitizing and hypoallergenic.

The hydrogel adhesive conforms to the shape of the foot and follows the movement of the foot on walking This allows for better adhesion of the pad of the present invention to the foot, preventing the pad from rubbing or rolling off the foot or snagging off on a portion of the shoe. Surprisingly, the hydrogel adhesive also provides cushioning of the foot to relieve pressure on the foot, particularly, for example, in the case of the wearer of high heel shoes. The thickness and consistency of the hydrogel adhesive provides adequate cushioning while being unnoticeable to the wearer when walking

The hydrogel adhesive ranges from a thickness of about 1.2 to 2.5 mm and preferably about 1.7 to 1.9 mm. The hydrogel adhesive may comprise crosslinked hydrophilic polymers, with polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, quaternised polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyacrylic acid, methylvinyl ether and maleic anhydride. The hydrogel adhesive may particularly comprise polyacrylamide and poly(acrylamidehydroxyethyl methacrylate) or K-90 polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyethylene glycol. FIGS. 1B and 2B depict preferred embodiments of the present invention and show the hydrogel adhesive in the diagonally shaded region of the interior surface of the pad.

The frictional layer of the present invention provides traction to decrease the movement of the foot in the shoe. On attachment of the pad of the present invention, the frictional layer is on the exterior surface of the foot and makes contact with the surface of the shoe when the foot is within the shoe. The frictional layer may comprise a material increasing the friction or traction of the pad of the present invention with the surface of the shoe.

The frictional layer preferably comprises a stretchable fabric for flexibility. The stretchable fabric may be a woven or nonwoven fabric and preferably comprises polyester. The thickness of the stretchable fabric is about 0.5 to 2 mm and more preferably about 0.5 to 0.75 mm.

In one embodiment, the exterior surface of the frictional layer may further comprise a film coating to increase friction and traction with the surface of a shoe. The film may comprise materials such as PVC or silicone. The film preferably comprises silicone and more preferably comprises 75% dimethylpolysiloxane and 25% silicon dioxide. The thickness of the film is about 0.5 to 2 mm, preferably about 0.5 to 1 mm and more preferably about 1 mm. FIG. 2A depicts the film coated embodiment in a preferred hourglass shape embodiment of the present invention. The film coated exterior surface of the frictional layer of the pad is preferably smooth, while increasing the friction between the pad and the surface of a shoe.

In another embodiment, the exterior surface of the frictional layer may further comprise a pattern of protrusions on and extending from the surface of the stretchable fabric. The patterned protrusions may be any pattern that increases the friction and traction with the surface of a shoe. The patterned protrusions may, for example, comprise of dots or lines of ridges. The patterned protrusions preferably cover the entire surface of the stretchable fabric. The patterned protrusions may comprise materials such as PVC or silicone. The patterned protrusions preferably comprise silicone and more preferably comprise 75% dimethylpolysiloxane and 25% silicon dioxide. The protrusions extend from the stretchable fabric about 0.5 to 2 mm, preferably about 0.5 to 1 mm and more preferably about 1 mm. FIG. 1A depicts the dot patterned protrusions embodiment in a preferred oval shape embodiment of the present invention. The dots of patterned protrusions may be any size but are preferably uniform in size.

The hydrogel adhesive layer of the present invention is located on the interior surface of the frictional layer by any means securing the two layers in place, such as, for example, by bonding. Preferably, the two layers are secured together through pressure. In one embodiment, the hydrogel adhesive layer covers the entire region of the interior surface of the frictional layer. FIGS. 2A and 2B depict the exterior and interior surfaces of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A depicts the exterior fictional layer surface of the preferred embodiment. FIG. 2B depicts the interior surface of the preferred embodiment with diagonally shaded lines representing the hydrogel adhesive layer, where the hydrogel adhesive layer covers the entire interior surface of a pad of the present invention.

In another embodiment, a portion of the interior surface of the frictional layer along the perimeter of the pad of the present invention is free of the hydrogel adhesive layer. The size of this perimeter portion is just large enough to catch the hydrogel adhesive as it expands on attachment of the pad or as the hydrogel expends from the pressure of the foot on walking. FIGS. 1A and 1B depict the exterior and interior surfaces of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A depicts the exterior fictional layer surface of the preferred embodiment. FIG. 1B depicts the interior surface of the preferred embodiment with diagonally shaded lines representing the hydrogel adhesive layer. FIG. 1B depicts an outer perimeter region of the embodiment free of the hydrogel adhesive layer; this shade-free perimeter region represents the interior surface of the frictional layer.

In one embodiment, the pad of the present invention is oval in shape, longer along one dimension than the other and curves along one or both dimensions. Preferably, the oval shape comprises a perimeter portion of the interior surface of the frictional layer free of the hydrogel adhesive layer. The size of the oval shape pad may be as large as necessary to cover the ball of the foot. For example, for women's shoe sizes 4-9 the oval shape pad may be about 63.5 mm by 38.1 mm along its largest horizontal and vertical dimensions. FIGS. 1A and 1B depict the exterior and interior surfaces of an oval shape embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 depicts the oval shape pad of FIGS. 1A and 1B embodiment, preferably, attached to and covering the ball of a person's foot with dot patterned protrusions on the exterior surface for contact with a shoe.

In another embodiment, the pad of the present invention is hourglass in shape, curving inwards along one edge of one dimension to a center area and then outwards to the other edge of the same dimension. FIGS. 2A and 2B depict the exterior and interior surfaces of an hourglass shape embodiment of the present invention. The curvature preferably starts on a portion of the pad to create flap like projection at the four corners of the pad. Preferably, the hydrogel adhesive layer of the hourglass shape pad extends to the edge of the interior surface of the frictional layer (FIG. 2B). This prevents the pad of the present invention from snagging on a portion of the shoe when sliding the foot into a shoe, particularly when the pad is applied to the heel of the foot. FIG. 3 depicts the hourglass shape pad of FIGS. 2A and 2B embodiment, preferably, attached to and covering the heel of a person's foot with a smooth exterior surface for contact with a shoe. FIG. 3 also depicts the preferred placement of the hourglass shape pad around the heel of a person's foot with the curvature of the pad located on the sides of a person's foot. The flaps on the four corners of the hourglass shape pad project horizontally from the pad to secure the pad to the foot.

The size of the hourglass shape pad may be as large as necessary to cover the heel of the foot without feeling unnatural or uncomfortable to the wearer. The size of the hourglass shape pad may also be as large as necessary to wrap around a person's heel to further prevent the pad from snagging on a portion of the shoe when sliding the foot into a shoe. For example, for women's shoe sizes 4-9 the hourglass shape pad may be about 63.5 mm by 63.5 mm along its largest horizontal and vertical dimensions.

The pad of the present invention is preferably skin tone in color, in a color commonly seen in hosiery, such as, white, tan, black and navy or any color that would decrease noticeability of the pad of the present invention. The pad further comprises a release backing material on the surface of the hydrogel adhesive layer to protect the pad of the present invention before use. The release backing material is peeled off and disposed to expose the hydrogel adhesive layer such that the pad of the present invention may be attached to a person's foot.

The description and drawings herein focuses on one or more embodiments of the present invention. The description and drawings are for the purpose of illustration and not limitation. Those of ordinary skill in the art would recognize variations, modifications and alternatives as also within the scope of the present invention. 

1. A flexible pad for attachment to a foot of a person to decrease the movement of the foot in a shoe comprising: (a) a frictional layer with an interior and exterior surface and (b) a hydrogel adhesive layer on the interior surface of the frictional layer, wherein the hydrogel adhesive layer is adapted to secures the pad to the foot and the exterior surface of the frictional layer engages a surface of the shoe.
 2. (canceled)
 3. The pad of claim 1, wherein the frictional layer comprises a stretchable fabric comprising a film coating on the exterior surface of the fabric.
 4. The pad of claim 3, wherein the film comprises silicone.
 5. The pad of claim 4, wherein the stretchable fabric comprises a woven fabric.
 6. The pad of claim 5, wherein the woven fabric comprises polyester.
 7. The pad of claim 6, wherein the silicone comprises 75% dimethylpolysiloxane and 25% silicone dioxide.
 8. The pad of claim 4, wherein the stretchable fabric comprises a nonwoven fabric.
 9. The pad of claim 1, wherein the frictional layer comprises a stretchable fabric comprising patterned protrusions on the exterior surface of the fabric.
 10. The pad of claim 8, wherein the protrusions form a dot pattern.
 11. The pad of claim 9, wherein the protrusions comprise silicone.
 12. The pad of claim 11, wherein the silicone comprises 75% dimethylpolysiloxane and 25% silicone dioxide.
 13. The pad of claim 6, wherein a portion of the perimeter of the interior surface of the frictional layer is free of the hydrogel adhesive layer.
 14. The pad of claim 6, wherein the hydrogel adhesive layer covers the entire region of the interior surface of the frictional layer.
 15. The pad of claim 13, wherein the pad is oval in shape.
 16. The pad of claim 14, wherein the pad is hourglass in shape.
 17. The pad of claim 11, wherein a portion of the perimeter of the interior surface of the frictional layer is free of the hydrogel adhesive layer.
 18. The pad of claim 11, wherein the hydrogel adhesive layer covers the entire region of the interior surface of the frictional layer.
 19. The pad of claim 17, wherein the pad is oval in shape.
 20. The pad of claim 18, wherein the pad is hourglass in shape. 